The Concise Encyclopedia of Orthodox Christianity

Almost three years ago when it first emerged, I spent considerable time reviewing the two-volume hardcover version of the Encyclopedia of Orthodox Christianity edited by John McGuckin, whom I interviewed here. I noted that this was a major reference work that deserved a place in serious research libraries. Those of you who may rightly have wanted a copy for your own personal library may have understandably found the price a bit steep. Well, happily, in January the publisher is bringing out a very affordable paperback version, so now there really is no excuse for you not to get a copy of The Concise Encyclopedia of Orthodox Christianity (Wiley-Blackwell, 2014), 592pp.

About this book we are told that it is:

Based on the acclaimed two-volume Encyclopedia of Eastern Orthodox Christianity (Wiley Blackwell, 2011), and now  available for students, faculty, and clergy in a concise single-volume format

• An outstanding reference work providing an accessible English language account of the key historical, liturgical, doctrinal features of Eastern Orthodoxy, including the Non-Chalcedonian churches
• Explores the major traditions of Eastern Orthodoxy in detail, including the Armenian, Byzantine, Coptic, Ethiopic, Slavic, Romanian, Syriac churches
• Uniquely comprehensive, it is edited by one of the leading scholars in the field and provides authoritative articles by a team of leading international academics and Orthodox figures
• Spans the period from Late Antiquity to the present, encompassing subjects including history, theology, liturgy, monasticism, sacramentology, canon law, philosophy, folk culture, architecture, archaeology, martyrology, and hagiography
• Structured alphabetically and is topically cross-indexed, with entries ranging from 100 to 6,000 words